Two Afghan nationals arrested for theft

New Delhi: Two Afghan nationals were arrested for allegedly stealing cash worth Rs 2.5 lakh and laptop from a shop in southeast Delhi's Jangpura area, police said on Tuesday.

The accused, identified as Zamil (48) and Mustafa (35), residing as refugees in Jangpura, are brothers, they said. On August 1, police were informed about a theft in a shop following which they reached the shop and met complainant Sukhjeet Singh Anand, police said.

During enquiry, the victim alleged that Rs 2.5 lakh and a bag containing his laptop were kept on his shop's counter and was stolen by an unknown person, Chinmoy Biswal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast), said.

While patrolling, the police team reached Bhogal. On seeing them, the accused started running, but the police apprehended them and stolen leather bag containing Rs 2.5 lakh cash and a laptop was recovered from them, he said.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that they used to steal articles and cash from different parts in Delhi and later used to sell it later, the DCP said.

The accused told police that they used to pretend as if they had recently moved from Afghanistan and are looking for a house in posh colonies, the officer said.

They have been living in India on a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Card for the last 25 years. Zameel is a habitual offender with previous involvement in cases of theft.

Mustafa used to work as a translator for Afghan nationals who were here on medical visa, he said.